Letters
A reason for concern?
We here at IIEC-Europe are avid readers of the IAEEL Newsletter. IIEC has been involved in designing and developing compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) programs such as Ilumex in Mexico, and the broader $250 million DSM program in Thailand. We also currently have a Polish CFL project seeking GEF funding.I'm seeing an increasing number of articles on the downside of CFLs, which question the true level of savings. Take, for example, a feature article in Electrical Review (1-14 July 1994) which pointed out that the non-linear load of CFLs, and that of other electronic devices (i.e. variable speed drives, computers, refrigerators), were leading to harmonic distortion in the power supply. This harmonic distortion is causing the overheating of transformers and conductors, burn-out of motors, and the nuisance tripping of circuit-breakers in buildings.
To what extent is harmonic distortion actually a problem with CFLs? Are they or could they become a significant portion of the problem, or is this problem a red herring utilities are using to avoid demand side management (DSM) programs?
I think it would be very useful if a future issue of the newsletter dealt with this issue.
(See articles on power factor and THD in IAEEL Newsletter 3-4/95)
Michael Scholand
Program Intern
International Institue for Energy Conservation, IIEC - Europe